Water and Cropping Systems Educators
Update on Extension Water and Cropping Systems Accountability Regions: We’ve been blessed with some tremendous hires into the Nebraska Extension system. I’m grateful. The region I now officially serve is York, Seward, and Fillmore Counties. I’m surrounded by really smart people, 3 of which are new hires. Please see their introductions below and please welcome them when you see them!
Dr. John Nelson (Lancaster, Cass, Otoe): John joined Nebraska Extension in April 2023 as the Water & Cropping Systems Educator for Lancaster, Cass, and Otoe counties, based out of Lincoln. I have a diverse background in agronomy and cropping systems research and extension in several areas around the country. I grew up on a family farm in Eastern Colorado and have remained involved throughout my professional career. I earned my bachelor’s degree in Soil & Crop Science from Colorado State, master’s degree in Crop Science from North Carolina State, and Ph.D. in Soil & Crop Science from Texas Tech. I worked as an Assistant Professor and Field Agronomist at the North Central Kansas Experiment fields for Kansas State from 2010-2013. While at K-State, I conducted research and extension programming in the areas of corn and soybean irrigation management, soil fertility, cover crops, precision ag, and water use in dryland cropping systems. I returned full time to the family farm in 2014 and remained there until joining Nebraska Extension this spring. My areas of interest include precision agriculture, irrigation and soil water management, cover crops/soil health, pasture management, and soil fertility. I am very excited to join Nebraska Extension and to develop beneficial research-based programs to meet the needs of the local producers. I can be reached at 402-441-7180 or jnelson158@unl.edu. Twitter: @NebWater_Crops
Dr. Travis Prochaska (Colfax, Butler, Polk): Travis “TJ” Prochaska, Ph.D., joined Nebraska Extension in July 2023. He is a native of Seward, NE where he grew up helping his family on the farm. He was an active member of Seward County 4-H and the Seward FFA Chapter. TJ received his B.S. from Concordia University Nebraska in organismal biology. He obtained his M.S. (2011) and Ph.D. (2015) from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in the Entomology programs where his efforts focused on the soybean aphid (M.S.) and switchgrass and aphid herbivory (Ph.D.). From 2016-2023, Prochaska served as the Crop Protection Specialist for North Dakota State University Extension, located in Minot, ND at the North Central Research Extension Center. ND farmers work with up to 40 different crops, however, TJ worked with about a dozen of them in North Central and Northwest ND (Wheat, durum, sunflower, canola, pulses crops, soybean, etc.). He currently serves Colfax, Butler, and Polk Counites as Water & Cropping Systems Specialist within Nebraska Extension and resides in the Colfax County Office in Schuyler. Prochaska is excited to work with area growers and serving the great state of Nebraska! Go Big Red!
Dr. Matheus Ribeiro (Clay, Nuckolls, Thayer): Matheus was born in Brasilia, the capital city of Brazil where in 2004 he got his bachelor’s in Agronomy. After graduating, he was hired as a technical manager for an agricultural aviation company in Mato Grosso state. Matheus also served as a professor for the Agronomy Department of Mato Grosso State University for a couple of years. In 2010 Matheus completed his master’s degree in Agronomy at the University of Brasilia where he studied the effect of chemical fertilization on two-spotted-spider mite infestation and strawberry yield. In 2017 Matheus obtained his PhD in Entomology from UNL focusing on the risk of insecticide resistance development in North Central soybean aphid populations to thiamethoxam seed treated soybean. He continued in the Entomology department (Insecticide Toxicology Lab), as a postdoctoral research associate until the end of 2017. He later worked as a staff entomologist for a start-up company called Crop Enhancement Inc., where he was actively involved with research and development of a non-conventional plant protection product. Before returning to UNL in 2021, Matheus worked as an independent consultant, coordinating, and managing contract research operations in Central and South America on projects related to pest and disease management of soybean, coffee, and tomato. During the past two years, he worked as a postdoctoral research associate where he collaborated with several soybean gall midge, and alfalfa weevil management projects, as well as supported rearing efforts of monarch butterflies. Matheus joined Nebraska Extension on November 1 and will be serving Clay, Nuckolls and Thayer Counties as an Extension Educator for Water and Cropping Systems.
7 of the 13 crop and water systems educators in Eastern NE are new in the past year with several coming on board since July. Grateful for more help!
My Challenge:
My challenge to everyone with irrigated ground who applies fall anhydrous or spring pre-plant fertilizer:
- Leave 1 piece of ground with a base rate of 70-100 lb N/ac
- Goal would be to apply rest of N in season using a tool like Sentinel Fertigation that senses what the plant needs. Will share research results from area producers this winter. If you decide that’s not what you wish to do, you can apply the remainder of N the way you’d like.
- Only asking to consider for 1 field. Will share more in next week’s column.
- Soil Temps: https://cropwatch.unl.edu/soiltemperature
November 2023 Upcoming Events
Mending the Stress Fence are free webinars held on Nov. 1 and again on Nov. 29 at 12:15 p.m. It is important that we all learn how to manage our stress levels and reduce the effects of unwanted stress. Business owners, managers, farmers, and ranchers are no exception to experiencing stress. In fact, stress seems to be prevalent in rural communities at times. Too much stress can make us more accident-prone, and it can affect our overall health. This program provides information on identifying common stressors, recognizing stress symptoms, and managing stress. Register: https://ruralwellness.unl.edu/stressfence.
Bodily Fluid Clean Up Training Webinar will be held Nov. 1 from 2-4 p.m. The training is designed for employees in businesses, schools, child care facilities responsible for properly cleaning up bodily fluids, but anyone interested can attend. Certificates provided. Registration: https://go.unl.edu/ewat.
Cover Crop Grazing Conference will be held Tuesday, November 7th at the Eastern Nebraska Research Extension and Education Center near Mead. Registration and trade show are from 8:30-9:30 a.m. with program beginning at 9:30 a.m. Dr. Bart Lardner from the University of Saskatchewan will kick off the program sharing on annual forage production and grazing strategies and Dr. Mary Drewnoski will share more on this topic later in the day. The program also features a producer panel, field tours, and lunch and breaks. For more info. and to register, please visit: https://go.unl.edu/ys5b.
2023 Transition to Organic Farming Conference: Are you thinking about transitioning to organic farming or are a newly certified organic farmer? This one-day conference put together by a team of UNL researchers, extension personnel, and local farmers will have sessions on how to improve soil fertility, manage weeds, and develop resilient crop rotations for organic grain farms. Panel discussions with organic producers will be part of the program. Come, learn, and mingle with other growers, vendors, educators, and researchers. This event is held Wednesday, November 8th from 9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (8:30 a.m. registration) at the Eastern Nebraska Research and Extension Center near Mead. There’s no charge. More info. and registration at: https://go.unl.edu/myu0.
So You’ve Inherited a Farm…Now What? will cover Nebraska land industry topics for farms and ranches. Those include evaluating current trends in land values and cash rents, strategies for successful land transitions, lease provisions, legal considerations and managing communication and expectations among family members. Creating and adjusting estate plans will also be covered. The program is free to attend, and lunch or refreshments will be provided at each location. Pre-registration is requested by one day prior to each workshop. Programs in this area of the State include:
- November 30th from 1-4 p.m. at Cornerstone Bank (529 Lincoln Ave.) in York (Register at 402-362-5508).
- December 13th from 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Extension Office in Beatrice (402-223-1384)
- Jan. 24th from 1-4 p.m. at the Extension Office in Hastings (402-461-7209)
- Feb. 6th from 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Extension Office in Lincoln (402-441-7180)
- Feb. 21 from 1-4 p.m. at the Extension Office in Central City (308-946-3843)
Tax Strategies for MidWestern Farm and Ranch Women: An upcoming virtual workshop series for Midwestern farm and ranch women will teach the basics of tax planning for agricultural operations. Men who are interested may also attend. Hosted by women in agriculture extension programs at UNL, K-State and Purdue University, the three-part series will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Central time on Tuesday, Nov. 28, Dec. 5 and Dec. 12. A comprehensive range of tax topics relevant to agricultural producers in Nebraska, Kansas and Indiana will be covered, including an introduction to income taxes, completing Schedule F forms, claiming deductions, tax strategies to shift income and lower tax bills, and compliance requirements. More info. and registration at: https://wia.unl.edu/taxes.
Farmers and Ranchers College: Dr. Kohl is returning to the Opera House in Bruning on Dec. 7th at 1 p.m. The title of his presentation is “Economic Shockwaves: Challenges and Opportunities”. You can RSVP at 402-759-3712.
System’s Approach to Soybean White Mold
Grateful for seasons, for fall, and that we have such beautiful fall colors this year! For whatever reason, it just doesn’t seem like we’ve seen colors like this for a few years and several have commented about the beauty this year. May we take time to notice the beauty around us each day! Also grateful for harvest being completed or nearing completion for many! Each day is one day closer to the end!
White Mold in Soybean: Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (the pathogen that causes white mold) impacts over 400 plant species from 75 families including soybean, dry bean, potato, sunflower, peas. Host weed species include: pigweeds, velvetleaf, henbit, lambsquarters, ragweeds, nightshades, mustards, sunflower. Cover crop hosts include: peas, lentils, turnips, radishes, collards, common vetch, (alfalfa and clover to a lesser extent). Just reading all that is discouraging. The fungus survives in a hard, black structure called a sclerotia that looks like mouse/rat droppings and can survive in the soil for 5 years (3 years in no-till fields). Frequent irrigation, plant wetness/fog/cool conditions at flowering (like we had in 2023), narrow rows, high plant populations, and cooler weather conditions of 46-75F allow the sclerotia to develop apothecia (look like circular tan mushrooms). Under a specific pressure, the apothecia shoot spores into the canopy where they infect the soybean plants whenever they land on senescing soybean flowers.
Flowering occurs from R1-R5 in indeterminant soybeans. Thus, why white mold is difficult to control and why we can see it develop so late into the year. The fungal infection moves from the flower into the stem, disrupting water transport. Thus, why you will often see plants that look wilted as an early symptom even before you see the signs of the white fungal growth. Wilting of plants leads to premature death impacting yields like we saw with large yield hits this past year. New sclerotia are formed within and also stick out of the plant stem and pods. They fall to the ground and the cycle continues when a susceptible host is grown.
So, what do we do about it? The following information is for fields that have a history of white mold. I’d suggest looking at this from a system’s approach. One piece is to consider varieties with disease resistance. I won’t argue that’s important. However, I’m honestly hesitant to start there as I’m unsure we have strong disease packages. And some defensive varieties give up too much yield. This is my perspective and I don’t expect people to agree. For now, I suggest finding the strongest yielding genetics first because there’s large yield variation in soybean.
From there, it becomes managing the other factors that can aid in disease. Manage weeds and avoid susceptible cover crops in the field. Crop rotation is not effective if it’s only a 2 year corn/soy rotation. While I realize they won’t work for everyone’s operation and they take more management, using small grains like cereal rye before soybeans is a tool that can help with both weed and disease suppression and doing so adds another crop to a 2 year rotation. Avoid irrigation at flowering (I realize 2023 was tough) and seek to irrigate deeper and less frequent.
There’s also tradeoffs within the system regarding row spacing for weed or disease control. Results from 18 site-years of research from Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and Iowa showed:
- If planting in row spacings of 15 inches or less and in fields with a history of white mold, use a seeding rate no greater than 110,000 seeds/ac.
- If planting in fields with a history of severe white mold, widen the row spacing to 30 inches and use a seeding rate no greater than 110,000 seeds/ac. UNL research shows you don’t give up yield with final plant stands at 100,000 plants/ac.
- Fungicide applications remain an effective tool for reducing white mold levels if applied between the R1 (most effective) and R3 (less effective) growth stages. Fungicides provide 0-60% control. They’re most effective if sprayed below the canopy.
- Not all fungicide products are equally effective at controlling white mold, with Endura® remaining the most effective product if applied between the correct growth stages.
- Consider downloading the Sporecaster app for white mold to better time fungicide apps based on weather conditions (found to be 81.8% accurate).
Most biological control agents should be applied at least 3 months before flowering for fungal colonization. Biological control agents and seed treatments such as Heads Up® were shown as effective tools to reduce severity of white mold and SDS based on Iowa State research. Plant nutrition is also showing promise and that’s something I’d like to try next year with a few growers; please let me know if you’re interested. Hydrogen peroxide products had little to no success in Wisconsin research (provided only 4 hours of activity killing spores). None of the things mentioned here are exclusive, but a combination of many of these factors as a system’s approach can help in the battle against white mold.
To view tables of the fungicide research results for white mold go to: https://cropprotectionnetwork.org/publications/modern-integrated-management-practices-for-controlling-white-mold-of-soybean
Soybean Seed Size and Yield Impacts
Soybean Seed Size and Yield: Dr. Jim Specht, Emeritus UNL Soybean Physiologist, wrote a couple articles for CropWatch (https://cropwatch.unl.edu). One contains a quick method to determine yields using seed size just prior to harvest. The other is about water stress timing. Sharing key points that applied to soybean yields in our area of the State this year when it came to weather, soy development, seed size, and yield. This doesn’t reflect disease impacts.
During soybean reproductive development, three stages — R1-R2 (flowering), R3-R4 (podding), and R5-R6 (seed-filling) — occur successively during July and August in the growing season. Soybean yield is ultimately a function of two components: the harvested seed number (in terms of unit land area), and the seed mass (weight of the average harvested seed). Seed number is set during the R1 to R4 stages of flowering and podding, though abortion of pods or seeds in those pods can occur in the later R stages. Seed mass (i.e., size) is set during the R5 to R6 stages of seed-filling, as the seeds undergo enlargement until the R6 stage ends at the onset of the R7 (physiological maturity) stage.
Jim and colleagues conducted a 3-year study in the 1980’s looking at the drought-stress sensitivity of seed number and seed size during different R stages. It involved 14 Group 0-Group 4 soybean varieties using seven treatments — each consisting of a single irrigation application, but each treatment differed with respect to the R stage coinciding with the single irrigation event.
When the single irrigation was applied during flowering, they saw a substantial increase in seed number, yet also a lower seed mass compared to the control rainfed treatment. This indicated that when water stress is mitigated during flowering (but not thereafter), soybean plants will set more seeds, but also end up making those seeds smaller when water is not adequate thereafter. We normally don’t recommend irrigation during flowering to avoid disease onset, but this year was a year where irrigation was necessary in many fields in this part of the State.
In contrast, when a single irrigation is applied during seed-fill (R5-R6), fewer seeds are set (and/or retained) due to prior water stress, but the mass of those fewer seeds is optimized due to the late-applied single irrigations that mitigate any coincident water stress.
They also found a response pattern coinciding with an irrigation event occurring at R3.5 and R4.5 (podding) that showed plants in that stage are conditioned to enhance seed mass while still increasing seed number to some degree. Irrigating at this stage resulted in the highest yields among treatments. Thus, why we typically encourage first irrigation of soybeans at R3 in our silt-loam soils. Additional research in the early 2000’s verified this.
However, it wasn’t reality for us to start irrigating at R3 this year. Many were irrigating since planting or as early as V2 with gravity irrigation after ridging tiny beans. The research also showed a full-season multiple irrigation treatment that resulted in maximized seed number, but seed mass was not increased beyond the increase achieved with single irrigation at R3.5. Thus, by irrigating all season (or in a season where rainfall provides no water stress), seed number (which is set before seed mass) is prioritized by stress-free plants relative to optimization. As we think about this past year, many fields may have experienced moisture stress at some point and all experienced heat and other environmental stresses.
Many soybeans that were early planted and early maturing experienced the stress of a hot and dry late June as flowers began setting which transitioned into a mostly wet/cool July during the seed number setting stages of R1-R2 (flowering) and R3-R4 (podding). The transition to a dry/hot August during the seed mass setting stages of R5-R7 (seed-filling) resulted in a reduction in the size of the harvested seeds, which means that more (small) seed will be required per pound. Thus, impacting yield. In comparison, the later maturing beans (including early planted ones), were in those flowering and podding stages longer to take advantage of the cooler conditions. They were also in the seed fill stages into mid-September during a period of cooler temperatures. Thus, I’ve heard better yield and seed size with Group 2.8-Group 3.1 beans.
While the weather is outside our control, I hope this is helpful in thinking through this past year. For risk mitigation going forward, I think it shows the importance of planting varying maturity groups to help spread risk with variations in weather conditions each year.
Prussic acid test strips: I ordered a roll of these, so if you’re grazing sorghum species, it’s a quick way to determine the presence of prussic acid, especially with light frost events. Otherwise, we recommend to pull cattle for at least 5 days post-freeze. They’re in York Ext. Office right now, so please call if you want to pick some up.
The following is how Dr. Jim Specht walks through determining soy yields just prior to harvest using seed size. These photos are via Dr. Specht.
Looking at the above chart, Alex Harrell from Georgia who reported a record soybean yield of 206.8 bushels/acre in 2023 suggested that the harvested seed in field likely had a seed mass of around 1,675 seeds/pound. Thus, a large seed size with (doing the math) around 477 seeds per square foot on a plant population of 77,000 plants/ac.
JenREES 10/8/23
Soybean Cyst Nematode: 2023 was a year for soybean diseases. I’ve been thinking about the soybean disease problems we’ve had and am planning a series of columns to talk through thoughts on management. Will focus on soybean cyst nematode for this week.
After soybean harvest is a prime time to sample for soybean cyst nematode as they’ll be at their highest levels in the soil. Soybean cyst nematode (SCN) is considered the #1 soybean disease in the U.S. as it can rob yield (up to 40%) with or without the presence of symptoms on soybean plants. When symptoms are present, they can include patchy areas of fields that may contain chlorotic and/or stunted plants. Digging up plants and carefully looking around the roots, one may observe tiny white specks that look like sand grains. With closer observation, if it is SCN, the specks will appear lemon-shaped as the female soybean cyst nematode. Technically, when the female body turns brown and dies is when it is called a ‘cyst’. Each cyst protects and contains up to 400 eggs each. When soybean is planted, juvenile nematodes hatch from eggs within the cysts during the right moisture and temperature conditions. The nematodes migrate to soybean roots where they infect, feed, breed, and then females produce new cysts full of eggs. This lifecycle occurs 3-4 times during the summer, thus, SCN populations can rapidly increase in a field in one year.
I saw that this year, a handful of times. Most field situations didn’t only have SCN as the problem, but I saw SCN populations rapidly increase from the first time fields were sampled to the next time. As you or agronomists are taking soil fertility samples this fall, split part of the 0-8” (or 0-6”) sample for testing for SCN. Or, take the soil sample in areas where the yield monitor showed yields were very low, patches where you saw disease, or field entryways. It’s also wise to take a sample from a good portion of the field for comparison. In soybean fields, take the sample a few inches off the old soybean row. However, SCN samples can also be taken from corn or other crop fields to help inform decisions if rotating to soybean next year. Place the sample cores (12-20 in total) in a plastic bucket, mix, then place in your sampling bag. I use quart-sized ziplock type bags, but there’s also SCN sampling bags available at local Extension Offices or directly from the UNL Plant and Pest Diagnostic clinic (402-472-2559). Label the bag with your contact info., field name, and that you want SCN analysis. Also be sure to fill out a completed sample submission form requesting SCN analysis and mail the samples to the UNL Plant & Pest Diagnostic Clinic (1875 North 38th Street, 448 Plant Science Hall, Lincoln, NE 68583-0722). There’s no charge for the sample analysis thanks to the Nebraska Soybean Board and your checkoff dollars. Knowing if you have SCN is the first step in management. Will share more on management in future columns.
Caring for Drought-stressed trees/shrubs: With the continuing dry conditions, this is a critical time to prepare woody plants for winter and prevent winter injury, especially to evergreens. Dry fall conditions can reduce the number of leaves, blooms and fruits trees produce the next season. Trees often delay the appearance of drought-stress-sometimes months or years after the stress occurs. Drought-stressed trees are more susceptible to secondary attack by insect pests and disease problems, such as borers and canker diseases, which can cause tree death. When watering, moisten the soil around trees and shrubs, up to just beyond the dripline (outside edge of tree leaf/needle canopy), to a depth of 8 to 12”. Avoid overwatering; but continue to water until the ground freezes as long as dry conditions persist. Use a screwdriver pushed into the soil to gauge the depth of watering.
Cedar beetles (Cicada parasite beetles): Have gotten a few calls about numerous beetles on ash and other trees that were crawling on them and flying around. The ones I’ve received samples of are cedar beetles, also known as cicada parasite beetles, which were new for me to learn about. They are about one inch long, and dark brown or black. The males have short, comb-like antennae. The beetles are harmless to trees and are laying eggs in the bark cracks. Larvae hatch, travel down tree cracks and burrow through soil looking for cicada nymphs to feed on their blood. So, they’re considered a parasite of cicadas, not of trees, and no control is needed.
Cedar beetles/Cicada parasite beetles
JenREES 10-1-23
Harvest Update: It’s been a fairly full month of harvest! I’ve heard much disappointment in yields thus far. Perspective for me comes from helping serve eight counties this past year and seeing such a range of conditions. Have struggled to find ways to encourage as I talk with growers. I’m just so grateful harvest is here as, to me, every field finished is one field closer to being done with 2023! I also realize that’s not a great way to look at a year, but it’s honestly where I’m at. Thus far, non-irrigated soybeans have averaged 20-25 bu/ac in much of the northern counties I serve and 4-10 bu/ac in the southern tier of counties. Pockets receiving a little more rain got above 30 bu/ac. Irrigated soybeans are mostly going 65-75 bu/ac, which I realize is a huge disappointment. Last week I shared the high heat the third week of August coupled with disease and soybean gall midge were all factors. Hearing 45-50 bu/ac for those with higher levels of disease (SDS and white mold). Early season beans were extra impacted by the high heat with small beans like “bbs’s”. Later maturing beans being harvested now were at an earlier development stage during the high heat and seem to be coming out better in size and yields.
Non-irrigated corn is all over the board depending on rainfall, hail damage, and practices involved. Have seen everything from no/few ears present and not even combined to nearly 120 bu/ac where there were more rains on no-till ground. Heard an exceptional non-irrigated yield for this year of 145 bu/ac on no-till corn on milo ground with more rain in July. With higher ET, I think there’s potential for some powerful irrigated corn in spots, but it also depends on ability to maintain enough water, impact of the smoke on solar radiation, development stage during that 3rd week of August and how quick the fill period went from dent to black layer. GDDs from 2012, 2022, and 2023 were fairly similar in pattern (based on data from York). June 2023 varied from nearly the same to 50 GDD more than June 2012. July 4 is when things changed with 2012 accumulating more GDD until the 3rd week of August of 2023. From then on, 2023 and 2012 have showed essentially the same GDD accumulation until this past weekend (Sept. 30) when 2023 is around 37 GDD higher than 2012. GDDs in 2023 follow a highly similar pattern to 2022 other than the June time-frame and Aug. 22-Sept. 17 being higher in 2023. This CropWatch article (https://go.unl.edu/kefo) was suggesting near average to below average yields for irrigated corn in our area of the State due to the high heat period from Aug. 22-Sept. 12, 2023. During that time, the weather data at Clay Center showed higher solar radiation, ET, min and max temp compared to the 30 year average. We’ll see what happens and wishing you safety during harvest!
Frost and Prussic Acid: It’s not predicted for frost yet but in case temps drop to freezing this coming Friday, be aware of the potential for prussic acid poisoning for cattle out on sorghum species (sudangrass, sorghum sudan, sorghum/milo). UNL beef researchers were experimenting with prussic acid test strips (cyantesmo test paper) this past year when grazing annual forages; they can be a quick indicator of the presence of prussic acid or not. University of Kentucky shares a protocol for use: https://forages.ca.uky.edu/files/cyanide_quick_field_test_using_cyantesmo_paper_updated_2019.pdf. Essentially, collect the plant material the animal would graze (small tillers have most potential for prussic acid). Cut the material into smaller pieces and place into a gallon sized ziplock bag with a 1” piece of the test strip paper. Seal and leave the bag in the sun/warm place for 10 min. The paper will turn blue at the presence of cyanide or remain white if it’s not present. It doesn’t provide a level but is a quick way to know if there’s risk of prussic acid poisoning or not. One roll of test paper goes a long way and is a little pricey, but could be used amongst several producers in an area for a quick test. Just something to consider as there’s a lot of forages planted in the area this year. For those who planted pearl millet, prussic acid is not a concern.
Minute Pirate Bugs: One thing I appreciated in the midst of drought was the reduced number of mosquitoes, chiggars, and ticks (at least that bothered me anyway). Fall is such a beautiful time of year to be outside until the tiny biting black/white minute pirate bugs (insidious flower bugs) appear as they have now! They’re actually a beneficial predator of thrips, mites, aphids, tiny caterpillars, and insect eggs in crop, garden, landscapes, and wooded areas in the summer. This time of year on warm, sunny days, they bite humans they land on. One doesn’t need to worry about them injecting a venom, feeding on blood or transmitting disease. People’s reactions to the bites range from no reaction to swelling like a mosquito bite. Unfortunately, there’s also no method of controlling them. Insect repellents don’t work as they aren’t attracted to carbon dioxide like mosquitoes are. They are attracted to light colored clothing, so wearing darker colors and long sleeves can help when being outdoors during warm, sunny days. Otherwise, work outdoors on cool, cloudy days.
JenREES 9/24/23
It was so great to hear rain/thunder and to receive some rain Thursday night! I don’t know how many felt this too, but it was so hard to want to work Friday after harvest has been going so hard. I saw that rain as such a gift for rest; hopefully you were able to take a little time that day for some rest too or intentionally choose that the next time we receive rain!
Old World Bluestem: Last fall, a producer near Garland shared there was a grass he had noticed his cattle weren’t eating and it was spreading in his native pasture. It was confirmed by the UNL Herbarium to be Old World Bluestem. I was grateful he gave me a tour of his pastures and it appeared that Roundup was killing it. Received another call in the Garland area this year. This resource from K-State shows ID characteristics and management info: https://www.frontierdistrict.k-state.edu/livestock/docs/2%20Old%20World%20BluestemsID.pdf. It is very drought tolerant, so it may be more visible now in the midst of drought. It’s actually not in the same genus as our native bluestems and has more characteristics of silver bluestem as they’re both in the Bothriochloa genus. It doesn’t green up as early as our native big bluestem but it will produce a seedhead quicker. It has a yellowish appearance to the leaves and stems. While cattle can graze it early, they often avoid it once it produces a seedhead. It’s extremely competitive and replaces native plants and forbs. Would encourage you to scout native pastures for any grass clumps that cattle don’t seem to be eating. If you see Old World Bluestem, make note of its location. I can also help ID the plant if needed. Management includes 2 lb/ac Glyphosate at the 4 leaf stage and again before seedheads are produced. Because it can contain both rhizomes and stolons, one may need to treat a good 1-3 feet beyond the clump. It also produces a prolific seed bank where it may take a few years of treatment on newly emerging plants before the seedbank is exhausted. When purchasing native grass seed for pastures, check with seed suppliers that the seed is free of old world bluestem. Another source of contamination can be from feeding hay, particularly from Texas and Oklahoma. It’s become an increasing problem in Kansas as well.
Soybean Yields: Last week received numerous calls and texts from people disappointed with soybean yields. That high heat period in August was really the last straw for non-irrigated soybeans, but it also greatly impacted irrigated soybeans. Other specific factors this year for the irrigated soybeans have included all the disease from irrigating since planting (white mold, sudden death syndrome, phytophthora, Fusarium root rot). Soybean gall midge has also been a factor in some fields, particularly in Seward County.
Small Grain Cover Crops: While there’s been some tremendous challenges with cover crops this year with moisture use in the midst of drought, they are a management tool for helping with disease and weed challenges. For example, a producer in the Gresham area who grew cereal rye for the purposes of weed control did see good weed control in those fields overall in spite of other challenges he faced. At least one of those fields was prone to white mold. I’d seen this in the past, but the rye kept the fungus from getting up into the soybean canopy and infecting the soybean plants. That’s in spite of how much extra he had to irrigate in the beginning of the season to get his beans up with a tall rye cover crop. Some have applied two fungicides for white mold this year and were still battling it. There’s tradeoffs to everything.
I’m often asked if I’m ‘sold out’ on cover crops. I don’t recommend cover crops to everyone because it takes another level of management. However, if a person is looking for a different tool for pest problems and is willing to look at management in another way, cover crops have the potential to help. So, if you’re dealing with soybean diseases like sudden death syndrome and/or soybean cyst nematode, small grains, particularly oats, have been proven via research to help reduce the fungus and nematodes. And, oats winterkill so they’re an option I was sharing with people who didn’t want to worry about a small grain surviving next spring. It’s late to plant oats right now, but they can be an option to consider for next spring or fall. Rye is another option before soybean because of the biomass it produces for weed control against palmer, its help in reducing soybean diseases, and it can be planted throughout the winter. I’ve been recommending wheat before corn and seed corn because it doesn’t get as much biomass and there’s not the same scare factor to plant green into it because of that. All these small grains will take moisture, but we’ve also seen them recycle moisture and nutrients back into the system in the July time-frame for May-terminated plants (research shows 6 weeks post-termination). While not a silver bullet, small grains are an option to help with pest problems if you’re open to managing a field differently. Feel free to contact me if you’d like to talk more about this.
JenREES 9/17/23
It was great getting to see and catch up with several people at Husker Harvest Days last week! The main update I have is that tar spot is being found more in this area of the State. Grateful it has only ever occurred at the end of the season for us. Next week I’ll share on an invasive grass that cattle won’t eat being found in some area warm-season pastures.
Harvest Safety: With harvest, it’s up to all of us to be safe and watchful on the roads. It’s so dry and hard to see on gravel roads when there’s traffic. Please be safe, slow down at intersections and railroad crossings, lights on, and be watchful/slow down as you come up on slow moving vehicles. For our farm families, we know things happen so quickly so please think safety with machinery, watch for people and objects around you, watch for power lines, and take your time on machinery and bin steps. Brandy VanDeWalle, Extension Educator, shares additional info. on her blog: https://vandewalleviews.com/2023/09/15/harvest-safety-11/. Here’s wishing everyone safety this harvest season!
Pricing corn silage: This was written by Shannon Sand, UNL ag economist, “According to UNL research, corn silage priced standing in the field before harvest would be valued at 7.65 times the price per bushel of corn, where a ton of corn silage is harvested at 60-65% moisture. For example, corn near $5.00/ bushel at harvest puts corn at $38.25 per ton. This accounts for not having to combine or haul grain to market but should also be harvest corn prices as we add storage costs to silage. According to the 2022 Nebraska farm custom rates publication, the average for harvest, hauling and packing of corn silage was $13.50 per ton. At $38.25 per ton plus $13.50 per ton for custom work, this gives us $51.75 per ton in the pile. When $3.00 per ton is added for storage, the price is now $54.75.” Additional information can be found in the following NebGuide: https://go.unl.edu/mik9.
Planting Trees: Fall is tree planting time and sometimes tree problems I diagnose are the result of incorrect planting. Kelly Feehan, Extension horticulture educator shares, “It is very important not to plant trees too deep. If a tree is planted the same depth it is in the container; or, the soil beneath the root ball is loosened when digging; then the tree is likely planted too deep. When I diagnose tree problems, I look at the trunk near the soil line. If it looks like a telephone pole going into the ground and there is no trunk taper at the base, I know the tree was planted too deep and that may be the cause of decline. Planting trees too deep leads to slower growth, decline and girdled roots that can cause tree failure. To plant a tree at the correct depth, never dig the hole until you find the first lateral root growing off of the trunk. Soil may need to be scraped away to locate this root. Once found, dig a hole that is a depth where the first root will remain just below or at the soil line. Do not disturb the soil under the root ball; but dig the hole one to two feet wider than the root ball.”
Lawn Weed Control: Those without irrigation systems struggled with thin lawns and both annual and perennial weeds this year. Perennials weeds have included dandelions, ground ivy, and bindweed. Annual weeds have included crabgrass, prostrate spurge, and purslane. So what can you do for the future? Late September through mid-October is the best time to control perennial broadleaf weeds with herbicides labeled for their control in grass. During the fall, the weeds will take the chemical into the root system increasing the opportunity for their death. Annual weeds will die with a hard frost. You can hand-pull or power-rake if you’re still working on reseeding lawns, but seed most likely has been produced. In May next year, you can apply a pre-emergence herbicide to prevent the weed seeds from emerging. Because we often get another flush of weed seeds germinating, if you had a lot of weed pressure this year and have a thin lawn, you can consider making a second pre-emergence application 8-10 weeks later. Thicker lawns help reduce weed seed germination if you can get a thicker lawn established as well.
I realized for all those who subscribe to my blog but don’t receive my email that I haven’t been posting the irrigation needs each week like I have on my email. So, adding that again as a reference for everyone finishing up.
JenREES 9/10/23
Crop Update: This seems like another strange end to the season with irrigating, harvest, harvesting silage, and harvest finished occurring simultaneously in the area I serve. For those interested in planting wheat, check out Nathan Mueller’s information on winter wheat variety selection on his blog: https://croptechcafe.org/winter-wheat-variety-selection-fall-2023/. Nathan does a great job of comparing varieties over time and sharing details he hears and sees on varieties for eastern Nebraska.
A few have asked about adding moisture to silage that’s too dry. Dr. Bruce Anderson once shared “it takes about 7 gallons of water for each ton of silage to raise moisture content just one point. Even if you have enough water, the chopped corn can’t absorb it fast enough to do any good.” A better option is to add a wetter feed like irrigated corn to help with the moisture content. Bruce shares more considerations here: https://cropwatch.unl.edu/2017/making-silage-dry-corn.
Check moisture content on non-irrigated corn and soybeans and harvest accordingly. Have heard reports from some non-irrigated fields from Nuckolls Co. to Seward Co. going as low as 13.6% to 17% for corn last week. A lot of non-irrigated beans in the area I serve have no pod fill in the upper ½-3/4 of plants, which I realize makes it hard to want to harvest them. In irrigated corn fields, particularly those that had quite a bit of premature ear droop, watch stalk integrity and also integrity of the ear shank attachment where it connects to the ear; consider earlier harvest in those fields. Soybeans do need nearly two inches of moisture when leaves turn yellow. However, that moisture can come from a combination of soil moisture reserves and irrigation, so it doesn’t mean you need to irrigate two more inches.
Couple things about pastures: make note if you’re seeing cattle avoiding any grass in them. I’ll share more on that next week. Also, a quick note that with the shortage of grass, cattle may be getting higher quantities of nitrate-rich weeds. Had a couple people reporting losses to me, so please be aware of this.
Grazing Corn Residue: Received numerous questions on grazing non-irrigated corn residue with stalks most likely high in nitrates. Cattle will go for the ear, husk, leaf first. I realize some of these fields have essentially no ears (for either ear or husk); the cattle will still graze leaves before stalks. Rarely do leaves have high nitrates. You can always test to be sure. Then get them off before they graze the lowest 12” of stalk. There’s also field situations where these ‘nubbin’ ears are spongy, have tiny kernels and aren’t threshing, so there may be more grain on the ground than one realizes. Hopefully the following info. isn’t needed, but sharing in case. Anything above 8-10 bu/ac on the ground needs a well-planned grazing strategy. How do you know? An ‘average’ corn ear would be considered about one bushel an acre loss, so do your best to estimate how many of these tiny ears would equate that. There’s a couple of ways to measure the area to determine grain on the ground. One way is to take your combine width in rows (8 rows, etc.), then measure one one-hundredth of an acre and count the ears in the area on the ground. Another way is to take 3 100-foot counts in three different areas of the field. Take the total number of ears (again consider a ‘normal’ ear size), divide by two, and that would give you an approximate bushel per acre loss.
One can adapt cattle to grain by feeding two to three pounds per day and slowly move up to 10-15 pounds per day over approximately 10-14 days. Turn cattle out that are full and make sure plenty of fresh water is readily available. Also consider feeding high quality hay as a supplement. For those with plants that were two foot or less on field edges that you didn’t run a combine through, perhaps consider fencing out those field edges? Also, while a frost does release prussic acid from sorghum species, frost does not release nitrates from corn plants/stalks.
Last Alfalfa Cutting: I think most in the area have finished last cutting of alfalfa. If you’re still considering it, alfalfa needs at least 6 weeks before the first average killing frost which can range from 24-27F due to plant height, stress, portions of plant affected, topography, etc. Research has shown that cutting during that resting period can increase the chances of winterkill and also reduce the first cutting of alfalfa the subsequent year. To be safe, that last cutting should be taken for our area by mid-Sept. even though I realize some have made it to early Oct. in the past. If you have quite a bit of regrowth and are in need of forage, another option is to cut or graze the alfalfa anytime after waiting a week after a killing frost.
Husker Harvest Days is this week! A number of topics will be covered in the Big Red Building where Extension, Curtis, and LEAD are located. The pesticide safety educators will be in the Hospitality Tent near NDA and will be doing respirator fit tests. If that’s something someone in your operation needs, please bring the respirator for the fit test. The TAPS team will be doing the crop skills challenge again in Lot 942 and there’s a student and non-student competition each day. Events include pest ID, grain moisture/yield estimates, plot imagery ID, and water use efficiency. There’s prize money each day of $250 gift card for 1st place, $150 for second and $100 for third.
As I re-read what I wrote, I realize this column was heavy with sharing about problems for awareness. Grateful we’re nearing the end of this crop season! Wishing everyone safety and all the best in finishing out this year!
JenRees 9/3/23
Water use till maturity for Corn: Beginning Dent 5”, ¼ milk 3.75”; ½ milk 2.25”; ¾ milk 1”.
Water use till maturity for Beans: Beg. Seed 6.5”; Full Seed 3.5”; Leaves beg yellow 1.9”.
Crop Update: Harvest is coming early and will probably start rolling this week for some non-irrigated crops. Please be safe with the heat and dry conditions and keep fire safety in mind! Quality in non-irrigated corn ranges but some is very poor; please assess your fields before choosing to store it. Soybeans took a yield hit with the last few heat waves. If you have non-irrigated soybeans that are turning brown, it may be good to check pod fill. Regarding irrigation, corn should be wrapping up soon and it will be tempting to quit on beans too. However, beans still need nearly two inches of water when the leaves begin to turn yellow. Technically, when the white membrane has separated from the seed inside the top several pods, they are no longer using moisture. Evaluating the soil moisture status in each field will help you determine if/how much more irrigation you need. Here’s wishing a safe finish to the growing season and harvest to all!
A Soil Health Field Day will be held Sept. 8 from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. (Reg. at 7:30 a.m.) at McGowan Farms, 1213 Rd. 4 McCool Junction. Several farmers will share their experiences with intercropping/relay cropping, integrating perennial cover crops and livestock with cash crops. Additional topics include: animal health strategies, soil health and moisture, and soil health funding opportunities. No charge, info and RSVP at: https://events.farmjournal.com/acam-sept8?i=NKF6zLCT4K-TcK44GTpfFL3hKF56pMmH.
Soybean Gall Midge: Most of the area I serve thankfully does not have this pest yet; however, it has increased in Seward county this year. Travis (TJ) Prochaska, recently joined us as an Extension Educator in Colfax county from serving as an Extension Crop Protection Specialist at NDSU. He has his doctorate in entomology and his family farms in Seward county. We’re glad to have him join Nebraska Extension!
Travis wrote the following along with Justin McMechan, “Soybean gall midge was first detected in Seward County during the 2019 growing season. However, the 2023 growing season has presented several growers in the area with their first experience with the emerging pest, especially in areas near the city of Seward and west. Other counties in eastern Nebraska have been dealing with the pest for several years. Typically, adults emerge in early- to mid-June. To receive alert notifications of soybean gall midge adult emergence, go to soybeangallmidge.org and register for the alert network. Overwintering adult soybean gall midge emerge from the previous year’s soybean fields and fly to an adjacent soybean field to lay eggs on young soybean plants. As the eggs hatch, the immature larvae feed on stem tissues underneath the epidermis, disrupting water and nutrient uptake within the plant. As the larvae grow, they will transition from a white to a bright orange color specimen.
Infested soybean plants can wilt or lodge at the feeding site and, in some cases, result in the death of the plant. Plants become susceptible to infestation around the vegetative V2 leaf stage as fissures (small cracks) develop near the base of the stem, providing an entry point for females to lay eggs. Management has been hit-and-miss. Research studies completed by Dr. Justin McMechan’s lab have shown some results, but foliar-based treatments have been inconsistent between locations and years. Chemical control should only be considered if the history of gall midge has been recorded or an adjacent field has shown a history of gall midge. Gall midge is a field edge pest, so any treatments be should be confined to the first 60-120 feet of the field. Research has shown that hilling, a process where soil is used to cover the base of the stem can be an effective strategy to control, however, it is difficult to implement at the V2 stage and not cover up the small soybean plants. Granular at-plant applications with Thimet 20G have shown consistent control, but its use is limited due to the need for additional specialized equipment. A multi-year field study funded by the Nebraska Soybean Board has shown that delaying soybean plantings until late-May can reduce infestation and injury. Studies led by Dr. Bob Koch, University of Minnesota, are showing some success with biological control and predators (i.e., ground beetles, parasitic wasps, etc.); however, further studies are needed to fully understand their impact.
As with any insect-related program, scouting will be key. Scout field edges of soybean that are adjacent to fields that were planted to soybean last year. To assess a soybean plant for larval infestation, look for any dark brown or black discoloration near the base of the stem below the cotyledonary nodes. If found, peel back the outside layer of the stem to reveal any possible white or orange larvae. As we approach September, there are no practical management tactics this late in the season. However, scouting to build a profile and a history will be helpful for possible treatments for the 2024 crop.”
Quick note for those who replanted soybeans and mentioned they’re flowering, Dr. Jim Specht ran the SoySim model for me and gives approximations of when to expect maturity is reached for the weather conditions thus far. First column is 1.5, middle is 2.0 and last column is 2.5. Based on this, should be seeing beginning pods this week. The harder part will be looking at the physiological maturity line, depending on when we receive a frost. I realize this isn’t encouraging to see either.
JenResources 